Thorncliffe Park Urban Farmers and youth volunteers start to plant for the season on May 16, 2026. (Miyuki Wong/Toronto Observer)
Toronto Foundation is proud to partner with Centennial College's journalism program to shine a light on the people, organizations and ideas to strengthen communities across Toronto. Throughout the year, journalism students are reporting from neighbourhoods across the city, telling stories that reflect the diversity, creativity and generosity found in every corner of Toronto.
Great cities are built one neighbourhood at a time. Across Toronto, people are creating spaces to gather, preserve culture, support neighbours and find new ways to help people feel they belong. These stories often begin locally, but their lessons reach far beyond a single street or neighbourhood. By helping surface them, local journalism gives us a richer understanding of our city—and reminds us that meaningful change is often happening closer to home than we realize. At a time when many young people are navigating an uncertain future, reporting these stories also gives students the chance to see firsthand how communities solve problems, support one another and create positive change.
We'll be sharing some of our favourite stories here throughout the year, while the full collection can be found in The Observer, Centennial College's student publication. The first batch of articles spotlights Toronto’s Vital Signs grantee organizations, also featured in our 2026 Good to Give Guide.
Featured Stories
Najeeb Siddiqui (Left) and Michelle Delaney (Right), co-project leads of the Thorncliffe Park Urban Farmers. (Miyuki Wong/Toronto Observer)
In Thorncliffe Park, urban farming brings residents together
Thorncliffe Park Urban Farmers (TPUF) is a resident-led organization rooted in the high-density neighbourhood of Thorncliffe Park in Toronto. In a community with limited green space and rising food insecurity, TPUF uses urban agriculture and ecological restoration to grow fresh food, improve urban biodiversity and strengthen community resilience.
Student Authors: Pilar Alvarado & Miyuki Wong
Carolynne Crawley is the co-founder of Turtle Protectors/Mishiikenh Gizhaasowin, along with Jenny Davis (not shown). (Bella Policarpio/Toronto Observer)
We can all be Turtle Protectors
Turtle Protectors/ Mishiikenh Gizhaasowin is an Indigenous and volunteer-led stewardship program working to protect turtles living in Toronto’s parks, where turtles are the most imperilled group of animals and all eight Ontario species are federally at risk. Grounded in Indigenous worldviews and the practice of Etuaptmumk, also known as Two-Eyed Seeing, the program supports hands-on protection, education and advocacy that strengthen relationships between people, land and water.
Student Authors: Kismet Lally & Isabella Policarpio
Building stronger community storytelling
The Centennial College partnership is one of several collaborations Toronto Foundation is building to strengthen community storytelling across the city. Together with journalism programs, hyperlocal media and community partners, we're helping surface stories that celebrate local leadership, strengthen neighbourhood connections and inspire more people to take part in the communities they call home.